Co-workers who are Troublemakers

Co-workers who are troublemakers can be a problem for anyone, but shy people may have particular trouble with difficult fellow employees.

Shy people often find themselves to be judged more harshly than extroverts on the job. Dr. Jonathan Cheek has found that underemployment, uneasy work relationships and slower advancement tend to mark the careers of shy people.

Jacqueline Horner Plumez, Ph.D. found that many people lose their jobs not because of incompetence but because of failing to make the right connections. She found that making a good impression on the right people is just as important as work performance.

Ability to get on well with one's coworkers is often named as one of the primary work requirements in a new job. Unfortunately shy people often have more trouble gaining approval from others, including coworkers. They sometimes fail to establish that essential "camaraderie" among their supervisors and fellow workers.

If someone sees that a shy person is lacking in the various social graces, they may be inclined to see that person as less competent in other areas as well. This can hinder their chances of advancement or even of keeping their present positions.

Also, if people see that the shy person seems nervous or ill at ease in a new job, they may incorrectly interpret this as uncertainty about his or her ability to do the work rather than simply being a normal shy behavior.

Some shy people may in fact find that their work performance is judged better when they work by themselves than when they work with others—even if the type of work they are doing in both cases is exactly the same!

Since shy people will have a tougher time than non-shys advancing in the workplace, they must concentrate not only on their work performance but also on socializing procedures to make such things come more naturally for them.